Croft, Walter Lucas

Rank:

Corporal

Regiment:

Royal Fusiliers

Regimental No. & Battalion

PS/4709 20th Bn

Status:

Research Notes

Derbyshire Times 9 December 1916
CRICH FUSILIER'S DEATH
The following further particulars regarding the only son of Mr and Mrs James Croft will be of interest to Crich and Fritchley residents: – Corpl. Walter Lucas Croft, of the Royal Fusiliers, P. S. well known in Fritchley, Crich and Ambergate, died on the 17th November at Etaples as the result of wounds from shrapnel. Corporal Croft was wounded twelve days previously and his last letter of a few lines to his parents, written on the 11th, spoke confidently of looking forward to being in England by Christmas. However, complications set in which terminated fatally. Twenty-three years of age in October last, Corporal Croft had spent his 21st birthday as a soldier of the King. He was educated at the private school of Mr W.A. Watkins, at Crich Common, and was afterwards for 2½ years with the Midland Railway Company at their Locomotive Works in Derby, as a privileged apprentice, subsequently going to Manchester to Messrs Maradon, newspaper manufacturers. He joined the forces in September 1914, arriving in France with his Battalion in November last year. He was back in England wounded in February returning to France in June last. The more technical part of a soldier's career appealed to Corporal Croft and he was proficient as a bomber and a signaller. As a hockey player he showed considerable promise, on several occasions before the War being selected to represent his native county in the Hockey Associations matches.

Walter Lucas Croft is a slight oddity. His name does not appear on the Roll of Honour but it is on the War Memorial outside the Church.

1901 Census: Derby

1911 Census: Derby